BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Saṅghādisesa Chapter 5group around any of the 18 grounds for schism, the Community will have troubleachieving unanimity in rebuking him, for his group will be free to protest thetransaction.Note that, unlike the definition of united Community in Cv.VII.5.3, the Vibhaṅga'sdefinition of a united Community here does not specify that it has to be unitedaround a correct understanding of the Dhamma and Vinaya. This means, in the caseof the first offense, that if a bhikkhu tries to create a partisan following by explainingVinaya as Vinaya in a Community whose practice has gone astray, the Communitycould still legitimately rebuke him. If he did not abandon his behavior, he wouldincur the full offense. This further means that if one wants to establish a return tothe genuine Dhamma and Vinaya in such a Community, one should aim atconverting the entire Community and not just a clique. If the Community judgesone's efforts to be divisive, one can either search for help from other Communities,as explained in Chapter 11 and exemplified in the story of the Second Council, orsimply leave the Community in search of a more conducive location to practice. Ifother bhikkhus in the Community, approving of one's views, come to the newlocation of their own accord, well and good. Nevertheless, this rule indicates thatone's aim in expounding the Dhamma and Vinaya should never be to create afaction. Instead, it should be to convince all who are sincere to join in the pursuit ofcorrect practice. Thus when leaving one's original Community, one should do so inas amicable a way as possible so as not to alienate those whom one should beaiming to win over to one's views.Procedure. The Vibhaṅga states that if the bhikkhus see or hear of a bhikkhu whohas begun agitating for a schism or persists in taking up an issue conducive toschism in a united Community, it is their duty to reprimand him three times.Otherwise, if he goes unreprimanded, he is free to continue with his efforts as helikes without incurring a penalty. If they neglect this duty, they each incur a dukkaṭa.The Commentary adds that this dukkaṭa applies to every bhikkhu within a halfyojana(five-mile) radius who learns of the instigator's efforts. Furthermore, it saysthat one may fulfill one's duty here only by going to him in person, and not bysending a letter or a messenger. (According to the Sub-commentary, any bhikkhuwithin the five-mile radius who is ill or otherwise unable to go reprimand theinstigator is not subject to this penalty.) As for any bhikkhu outside the half-yojanaradius, even though he may not be subject to the penalty, the Commentary statesthat he should still regard it as his duty if he is able to go reprimand the instigator aswell. If the attempt takes place during the Rains-residence, other bhikkhus areallowed to cut short their stay in other locations to help end the attempt (Mv.III.6-9).However, once a bhikkhu has fulfilled this duty and yet sees that a schism is likely,he is allowed to leave the Community even during the Rains-residence if he doesnot wish to be present for the turmoil that may follow (Mv.III.11.5).If, after being reprimanded three times, the instigator abandons his efforts — i.e.,stops agitating for a schism or abandons his position with regard to the 18 issuesconducive to a schism — he incurs no penalty and nothing further need be done.If he is still recalcitrant, though, he incurs a dukkaṭa. The next step is to take himinto the midst of a formal meeting of the Community (seizing him by the hands and127